For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: April 22, 2025
Plans finalized for Spring Commencement
Three ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 17
Fennimore -
The 2025 Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Spring Commencement will be held Saturday, May 17. There will be three ceremonies this year, divided by programs. The first ceremony will be held at 9 a.m., followed by the second ceremony at 11 a.m., and the third ceremony at 1 p.m. They will take place in the Ag/Auto Building on campus. This semester will see 410 students eligible to graduate.
The student speaker for the 9 a.m. p.m. ceremony will be Lacee Millard, while Gery Lopez will serve as the student speaker for the 11 a.m. ceremony. Adam O’Brien will be the student speaker for the 1 p.m. ceremony.
Ruby Koeller will be the emcee for the 9 a.m. ceremony, while Jackie Nusbaum will be the emcee for the 11 a.m. ceremony, followed by Aliyah Ruhland at the 1 p.m. ceremony.
Brandi Weber will serve as the alumni speaker at the 9 a.m. ceremony. Andrew Clayton Tobey will be the alumni speaker at the 11 a.m. ceremony, with Theresa Sander to speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony.
Anyone not able to attend, can watch a live stream of each ceremony on the college’s Facebook page. More information about the day can be found at swtc.edu/graduation.
9 a.m. Ceremony
Student Speaker – Lacee Millard
Hometown: Platteville, Wisconsin
Program: Associate Degree – Nursing
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I always knew I wanted to care for people and work in the medical field. Since I live in Platteville, SWTC was a practical choice to enroll at to start my medical career. I enrolled into the nursing assistant program and graduated the program in 2002. From there, I knew I wanted bigger and better, so I chose to enroll in the Medical Assistant program and graduated as a certified medical assistant in 2004. I’ve worked as a medical assistant in the same cardiology practice for the last 21 years. After COVID, I decided I wanted to further my education and enrolled into the part-time Associate Degree – Nursing program at SWTC.
As a non-traditional student, wife, mother of three, and a dual income worker in my home, I felt as through SWTC could accommodate my needs along with “Life-work-balance.” I knew what I needed to do to get from point A to point B, and it wouldn’t be an easy feat. I jumped in with both feet and hit the ground running. SWTC helped to make my dreams a success!
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? There are so many things I have enjoyed while enrolled here at SWTC. First and foremost, I have enjoyed the many friendships I have made along the way. The instructors have been great and even though I already have a wealth of knowledge, I have learned a lot along the way. I have enjoyed all my clinical rotations caring for the many clients along the way. Whether I was there watching a baby take the first breaths of life; or sitting along-side a Hospice client during their last days of life; I have many cherished memories and am so glad I chose this profession and proud to have chosen SWTC to make my career goals and dreams become a reality.
What will be your message to the graduates? I want to congratulate each end every student for their hard work and success to make it to this special day. The medical field is in extreme need for this profession. Each one of us should be proud that we set out to reach our own goals and we have each succeeded in fulfilling this dream. Speaking for myself as a nursing student, it is certainly not an easy feat! Many long hours, sweat, and tears. Taking it day by day to reach my goals. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything! If I can be a wife, mom of three, working full-time, all while attending nursing school, and earning prestigious recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa, you can do it to.
What are your plans after graduation? I will continue my career in the field of cardiovascular medicine; however, I am strongly looking into other career options as I have many interests and there are endless opportunities.
“Still trying to figure out what I wanna do when I grow up.”
Alumna Speaker – Brandi Weber
Hometown: Kieler, Wisconsin
Program and year of graduation: Medical Assistant 2012, Nursing 2017
Current position and name of employer: Chief Nursing Officer – Southwest Health Center
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? Several things had my interest, mainly the location and the atmosphere. Being able to live at home and complete my degrees for a small cost was extremely beneficial.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? How all the instructors and students were there for the right reason-to get an education and prepare you for a successful future.
What will be your message to the graduates? Keep your options open. You never know what your passion will be until you try it.
Emcee – Ruby Koeller
Hometown: McGregor, Iowa
Program: Medical Assistant
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? Southwest Tech is a prime example of an institution that is truly committed to quality higher learning. With every visit and appointment, I had here prior to my first day of classes, I felt supported, heard, and incredibly valued by my advisor, program director, and instructors. Since the beginning, Southwest Tech has always felt like home.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I genuinely looked forward to coming to class every single day. I learned in a classroom full of amazing women with hearts as open as their minds, who supported me and became like family. I was able to learn in a hands-on approach and gained confidence quickly, finding that even the most difficult aspects of the medical assisting program were completely doable with the care and devotion of my instructors, Tonia Breuer and Kris Schoville.
What will be your message to the graduates? To my fellow graduates, I hope today is a day full of feelings of celebration, growth, and pride! With every day you spent here at Southwest Tech, you made the decision to strengthen your minds and broaden your path. I pray that your time at this college pushed you, shaped you, and prepared you for every life-changing opportunity that comes your way. As we move forward, let’s carry with us the confidence, drive, and connections we’ve built here at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Here’s to us all, Class of 2025. Remember to always pursue what drives you!
What are your plans after graduation? I plan to attend Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, Iowa for my nursing degree, in hopes of working here in Wisconsin as an RN.
11 a.m. Ceremony
Student Speaker – Gerardo Ceballos-Lopez (Gery Lopez)
Hometown: Arcadia, Wisconsin
Program: Electrical Power Distribution
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? The thing that drew me the most to SWTC was the environment and commitment to serve students. The large focus on ensuring student success has created a healthy and welcoming environment for students to excel in programs and in future endeavors. Every staff and faculty member puts 110 percent into their work to make SWTC the best it can be.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech?I enjoyed being able to work behind the scenes in the Foundation to see how scholarships and donations help our students succeed beyond the education aspect. As a student who received a scholarship, it really made me appreciate the hard work the staff put in. I also enjoyed all the resources that are available for students.
What will be your message to the graduates?My message will be about being able to persevere no matter what gets in your way. When you do something do it good. Do it tired, do it sad, do it when everything is against you, but always do it good. Someone always has it harder than you, so be grateful for everything you are blessed with.
What are your plans after graduation? Temporary lineworker at Riverland Energy Co-op.
Alumnus Speaker – Andrew Clayton Tobey
Hometown: Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Program and year of graduation: Electrical Power Distribution, 2020
Current position and name of employer: Project Engineer, Dynamic Ratings (DR)
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? Line work was a second option outside of electrical engineering. So, when I dropped out of UW-P I looked around and Southwest Tech seemed like a really good line program.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I enjoyed the work and my classmates, but Joe Randall was a really impressive teacher. I had lost a lot of my academic confidence from failing at UW-P and Joe gave me the confidence to apply and succeed at DR.
What will be your message to the graduates? My current plan is to talk about my story from starting at UW-P and why I went into electrical engineering, through my nine-ish months at Southwest Tech and into my time at Dynamic Ratings. My message will hopefully be that you do not need a four-year degree to be successful. With experience and dedication to a trade you can go just as far.
Emcee – Jackie Nusbaum
Hometown: Monroe, Wisconsin
Program: Agribusiness Science and Technology – Agronomy
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I originally came to Southwest Tech for a soil judging competition when I was in high school. The school showed us a tremendous welcome and promoted their school to the best of their abilities. I will say, they did a tremendous job. Ever since then, I had been interested in Southwest Tech. It was great that my sister already participated in a year at the college prior to me coming. I had gained friendships with her friends at the college and learned to love the environment they were showing me. Now, I’m a proud Southwest Tech Charger, and have not regretted my decision since.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? The friendships I gained here at Southwest Tech are ones to remember. Since then, there has not been a day that went by that I did not look forward to coming back to the college after going home on the weekends. The friendships I gained have truly impacted my personality on a different level, and I know they will continue to be lifelong friends.
What will be your message to the graduates? Due to me being the emcee, I have a short welcome that will summarize how important student knowledge is and how important it is to go outside of your comfort zone.
What are your plans after graduation? I am currently in contact with a United States Air Force recruiter. As of today, I will attend basic training in San Antonio, Texas in July. My duties in the Air Force are currently undecided, yet I would like to make it a career. Whether I make the military my career or not, I plan to come home to the family farm where I would like to use my knowledge from Southwest Tech to begin a cow-calf herd and crop farming.
1 p.m. Ceremony
Student Speaker – Adam O’Brien
Hometown: Darlington, Wisconsin
Program: Business Management
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? The online availability was a major benefit to consider when I was considering going back to school. After 13 years of managing a business and loving my career and the business world, I thought it was fitting to choose this program as it seemed to be in my wheelhouse.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I enjoyed the feeling of success that I found during my time learning at Southwest Tech. To earn Dean’s List status during every semester of this program, gave me confidence and reassurance that I am capable of anything that I set my mind to.
What will be your message to the graduates? My message to the graduates will revolve around being open to change. We can embrace change or get ran over by it. What these graduates are chasing is something special to them for their own reasons and even if their future does not align with what they set out to accomplish, all the experiences along the way are preparing them for whatever life throws at them.
What are your plans after graduation? I intend on getting my subbing license and ultimately would like to get an experience-based licensure to teach high school business classes and continue coaching high school athletics. I will also continue to grow my AAU basketball program with the intentions of building a facility to cater to the local and regional youth basketball players’ needs, wants, and desires.
Alumna Speaker – Theresa Sander
Hometown: Grew up on a large dairy farm outside of Muscoda, Wisconsin and now lives near Livingston, Wisconsin.
Program and year of graduation: Marketing – 1985, Multiple certificate trainings through SWTC: EMT-Basic – 2002, EMT—IV Technician – 2004, Lean Manufacturing, NIMS 100-800 Certificate Training, CISM, Certified Nursing Assistant – 2007, and Leadership Training with Dennis Cooley
Current position and name of employer: Human Resources and Safety Administration with Biddick, Inc. in Livingston.
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? My older sister, who was one of my role models, graduated from Southwest Tech in 1975 with a Marketing degree. She had a great educational experience and acquired a good job in Madison. I decided to give up my dream of photography school in Rhode Island and get a marketing degree too so I would know how to advertise and market my photography skills.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I loved everything about Southwest Tech, from my classes to my instructors, to all the friends I made. I especially enjoyed participating in the school’s Distributive Education Clubs of America and running for and being elected to a DECA state officer position.
What will be your message to the graduates? My message will about remembering that SWTC is “Here Then, Here Now, Here Always,” with my story as an example and closing with a poem from the past that is still much relevant today and one I suspect will still be relevant in the future.
Emcee – Aliyah Ruhland
Hometown: Richland Center, Wisconsin
Program: Human Services
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I originally was attending a small, private college in Minneapolis and playing volleyball. I found that the path I was taking wasn’t for me and knew that SWTC would welcome me with open arms, even if I was coming a week late. My mother worked as an MLT adjunct instructor a few years back and persuaded me to attend SWTC.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I enjoyed the diverse students I had classes with. The advice and experience from students of different backgrounds, ages, and towns was extremely beneficial. I also appreciated the kindness and the feeling of belonging that came from the instructors. They believed in my abilities which pushed me to succeed.
What will be your message to the graduates? Everyone here at this graduation is resilient in some way. Resiliency isn’t determined by what you went through to get to where you are, but by how you made it to where you are. Whether you are a single mother of three or a student who came to SWTC right out of high school, we all have been resilient in our own way and that is why we are here today.
What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I am transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to major in social work!
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. The college was recently named the winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |